Written Answers Monday 15 January 2007

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on the prevalence of New Zealand flatworms.

Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been undertaken on the effect of New Zealand flatworms on agriculture and horticulture.

Ross Finnie: A wide-range of studies into New Zealand flatworms has been carried out. The Scottish Executive and its research institutes have commissioned several of these studies.

  Since 1990 a number of studies has recorded the prevalence of New Zealand flatworms throughout Scotland and the UK. Between July 1991 and February 1993, the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) carried out a survey of New Zealand flatworms in domestic gardens, botanic gardens, nurseries and garden centres, and farm land. During 1992, the Scottish Office funded a project at SCRI on the distribution of the New Zealand flatworm in Scottish farm land and in 1995 the Scottish Office carried out its own survey of the prevalence of New Zealand flatworm at Horticultural establishments.

  In 1996, the Scottish Office sent a questionnaire to seed potato growers to assess the prevalence and importance of New Zealand flatworm on their farms. In addition, all Scottish Office seed potato inspectors received training in the identification and detection of New Zealand flatworm. The Scottish Executive Horticulture and Marketing Unit inspectors also continue to follow up any notifications of the flatworm at commercial horticultural premises.

  Between 1997 and 2000, the Scottish Executive funded a study to investigate the biology and estimate the ecological impact of New Zealand flatworm. Distribution studies were included as part of this project. This was a joint project carried out by researchers at the Central Science Laboratory, York, The Queens University, Belfast and the Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee. Results of this study are available from the website of the Central Science Laboratory, which can be viewed at: http://flatworm.csl.gov.uk/project.htm.

Agriculture

Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning to institute an eradication programme for New Zealand flatworms.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has no plans to institute an eradication programme for New Zealand flatworms.

  Current action in relation to New Zealand flatworm focuses on preventing its spread. The Scottish Executive and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have developed a joint code of practice, the Code of Practice to Prevent the Spread of Non Indigenous Flatworms as a practical guide to help producers and traders of nursery stock detect and limit the spread of non-indigenous flatworms. Some of the recommended measures are also of value to the individual gardener who wishes to limit the spread of New Zealand flatworm on their land. This code can be viewed on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/flat.htm.

Communities Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much Communities Scotland has spent since its establishment in each (a) local authority area and (b) Scottish parliamentary constituency.

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Information on spend is not held centrally by Scottish Parliamentary constituency and held by postcode area only for the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes.

  The available information on spend by local authority area is shown in the following tables.

  Affordable Housing Investment Programme

  

 
2001-02
  (£ Million)
2002-03
  (£ Million)
2003-04
  (£ Million)
2004-05
  (£ Million)
2005-06
  (£ Million)


Aberdeen
5.430
4.600
5.134
7.078
20.357


Aberdeenshire
5.957
7.515
12.734
12.037
11.139


Angus
4.473
3.131
4.355
4.376
5.518


Argyll and Bute
4.065
3.710
7.330
10.334
15.885


Clackmannanshire
2.787
1.454
1.835
1.908
2.338


Dumfries and Galloway
4.349
4.276
5.718
8.379
10.447


Dundee
6.363
5.956
8.172
9.774
10.559


East Ayrshire
1.405
1.155
0.691
1.524
9.001


East Dunbartonshire
0.680
0.126
0.440
0.625
0.190


East Lothian
0.714
1.014
1.684
1.883
3.198


East Renfrewshire
1.675
1.362
2.683
2.954
1.181


Edinburgh, City of
14.026
14.152
17.373
17.860
34.801


Eilean Siar
1.378
1.752
2.787
2.780
3.105


Falkirk
2.355
1.999
0.919
0.879
1.894


Fife
9.008
7.973
8.933
12.407
18.755


Glasgow City 
65.134
65.919
73.919
72.046 1
128.860 2


Highland
9.137
9.605
13.664
20.444
33.609


Inverclyde
5.701
6.910
5.061
5.926
10.022


Midlothian
0.942
1.405
0.841
0.896
4.925


Moray
1.344
0.537
1.827
5.282
9.360


North Ayrshire
2.759
3.848
3.981
8.844
7.585


North Lanarkshire
8.892
11.753
10.383
13.135
13.971


Orkney
2.315
2.063
2.819
2.010
5.846


Perth and Kinross
5.486
5.450
7.019
9.488
7.516


Renfrewshire
10.698
9.542
13.686
14.807
18.657


Scottish Borders
4.129
2.780
4.070
5.287
4.219


Shetland
0.659
1.314
1.089
2.038
1.498


South Ayrshire
4.105
3.461
3.942
5.581
4.410


South Lanarkshire
12.837
9.650
13.642
13.335
14.827


Stirling
4.055
3.474
4.389
4.647
4.174


West Dunbartonshire
10.569
8.194
8.133
9.192
14.642


West Lothian
2.377
2.611
6.085
7.882
6.148



  Notes:

  1. Includes some GHA spend in 2004-05.

  2. Includes GHA spend on Demolitions, Reprovisioning, Efficiencies and Repayable Grant in 2005-06.

  Other Housing Programmes

  

 
2001-02
  (£ Million)
2002-03
  (£ Million)
2003-04
  (£ Million)
2004-05
  (£ Million)
2005-06
  (£ Million)


Aberdeen City
0.606
0.53
0.162
2.756
3.598


Aberdeenshire
0.177
0.446
0.578
0.905
1.759


Angus
0.108
0.445
0.641
1.258
1.370


Argyll and Bute
0.217
0.276
0.39
2.541
4.160


Clackmannanshire
0.103
0
0.853
1.036
0.727


Dumfries and Galloway
0.16
0.446
0.651
2.141
4.617


Dundee City
0.324
0.36
0.496
2.098
2.807


East Ayrshire
0.073
0.36
0.595
1.306
1.792


East Dunbartonshire
0.195
0.276
0.498
0.804
1.190


East Lothian
0.465
0.444
0.541
2.273
1.592


East Renfrewshire
0.076
0.276
0.385
1.107
0.539


Edinburgh, City of
3.036
2.04
1.841
7.664
10.544


Eilean Siar
0.05
0.21
0.297
3.847
4.280


Falkirk
0.316
0.445
0.62
1.936
1.373


Fife
0.866
0.869
0.989
1.628
2.324


Glasgow City 1
8.563
5.441
3.298
16.461
31.416


Highland
0.455
0.36
0.892
3.74
5.522


Inverclyde
0.133
0.276
0.511
0.961
1.090


Midlothian
0.056
0.058
0.589
0.726
0.750


Moray
0.37
0.408
0.569
1.104
1.568


North Ayrshire
0.38
0.445
0.569
1.157
2.299


North Lanarkshire
1.327
0.53
0.933
3.306
4.700


Orkney Islands
0.05
0.21
0.307
0.966
1.686


Perth and Kinross
0.452
0.68
0.604
1.861
2.527


Renfrewshire
0.268
0.36
0.47
1.957
2.047


Scottish Borders
0.056
0.36
0.47
0.437
1.837


Shetland Islands
0.057
0.21
0.197
0.441
1.051


South Ayrshire
0.073
0.445
0.701
1.102
1.306


South Lanarkshire
0.999
0.558
0.791
6.289
7.729


Stirling
0.193
0.36
0.487
1.417
1.083


West Dunbartonshire
0.159
0.446
0.849
1.128
1.927


West Lothian
0.22
0.53
0.721
2.411
1.393



  Note: 1. Includes spend on GHA Owners Occupiers grant from 2003-04.

  Other Glasgow Housing Association Spend1

  

 
2001-02
  (£ Million)
2002-03
  (£ Million)
2003-04
  (£ Million)
2004-05
  (£ Million)
2005-06
  (£ Million)


GHA
12.9
48.8
49.1
48.1
4.8



  Note: 1. Includes all other Glasgow/GHA spend not included within AHIP and Other Housing Programmes above.

  Warm Deal and Central Heating Programmes

  

 
2001-02
(£ Million)
2002-03
(£ Million)
2003-04
  (£ Million)
2004-05
  (£ Million)
2005-06
(£ Million)


Warm Deal
9.73
9.338
10.67
11.123
5.992


Central Heating1
20.112
29.016
43.397
46.036
52.198



  Note: 1. GHA spend on central heating included in Other GHA spend.

  Social Inclusion Partnership Fund/Community Regeneration Fund

  

 
2001-02
(£ Million)
2002-03
(£ Million)
2003-04
(£ Million)
2004-05
  (£ Million)
2005-06
  (£ Million)


Aberdeen 
0.880
0.904
0.942
1.006
1.218


Aberdeenshire
0
0
0
0
0.135


Angus 
0
0
0
0
0.203


Argyll and Bute
0.380
0.399
0.414
0.414
0.986


Clackmannanshire
1.068
1.071
1.088
1.088
1.104


Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
0
0
0.675


Dundee 
3.066
3.218
3.179
3.276
5.775


East Ayrshire
1.436
1.881
2.283
2.283
4.033


East Dunbartonshire
0
0
0
 
0.271


East Lothian 
0.156
0.164
0.168
0.168
0.126


East Renfrewshire
0.422
0.377
0.276
0.276
0.406


Edinburgh 
6.478
7.025
7.489
7.618
7.176


Eilean Siar 
0
0
0
0
0.356


Falkirk 
0.586
0.473
0.343
0.343
0.791


Fife 
0.772
0.701
0.585
0.585
1.806


Glasgow
21.400
23.692
25.658
25.897
39.886


Highland
0.836
0.857
0.804
0.804
0.609


Inverclyde 
2.443
2.651
2.752
2.881
5.381


Midlothian 
0
0
0
0
0.100


Moray 
0.447
0.470
0.481
0.481
0.361


North Ayrshire 
0.743
0.619
0.466
0.466
3.403


North Lanarkshire 
3.267
3.251
3.150
3.246
9.847


Orkney 
0
0
0
0
0.100


Perth and Kinross 
0.201
0.211
0.216
0.216
0.203


Renfrewshire 
3.652
3.048
3.145
3.274
4.527


Scottish Borders 
0.252
0.265
0.271
0.271
0.203


Shetland
0
0
0
0
0.100


South Ayrshire 
1.982
2.115
2.202
2.267
1.767


South Lanarkshire 
2.798
3.767
4.146
4.146
6.861


Stirling 
0.531
0.432
0.317
0.316
0.406


West Dunbartonshire 
2.196
2.242
2.327
2.456
4.956


West Lothian 
0.209
0.22
0.225
0.225
0.677



  Note: 1. SIP Fund subsumed within the Community Regeneration Fund from 1 April 2005.

Conservation of Seals Act 1970

Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will offer guidance to the public and to enforcement agencies as to what constitutes the "vicinity" of a fishing net or tackle in which a fisherman may shoot a grey seal or a common seal during the close season for the species under section 9 of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970.

Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of recent seal killings in Orkney and the Arbroath area and criticism of, and the limited number of prosecutions under, the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, whether it will undertake a review of the legislation with a view to improving protection of seals.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive set up the Scottish Seals Forum in 2002 to bring stakeholders together to exchange information and develop a co-ordinated approach to the management of Scottish seal populations. This forum provides the appropriate focal point for representations concerning the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. I understand that it is currently anticipated that the forum is likely to discuss the issue at its next meeting in spring 2007.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what a patient journey in the NHS will consist of for people suffering from a transient ischaemic attack.

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive at what point, and by whom, a diagnosis of transient ischaemic attack will be made and the patient referred to a minor injuries unit.

Andy Kerr: The information which follows is based on the relevant SIGN Guidelines and the standards for stroke services developed by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

  A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is a warning stroke or mini-stroke that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage, as the symptoms resolve within 24 hours. Recognising and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major stroke.

  Whatever route someone with a suspected TIA takes in order to seek help (consultation with their GP, or referral to an emergency service, including a minor injuries unit), they should be referred as a matter of urgency to a local neurovascular clinic run by a stroke consultant or neurological specialist. A combination of tests can then be performed to identify those at greatest risk of going on to have a major stroke. In order to perform these tests, neurovascular clinics will have access to facilities for urgent investigation, including brain and vascular imaging.

  Once a diagnosis of TIA has been made, all patients, whether admitted to hospital or seen at a neurovascular clinic, should have their risk factors assessed, documented and treatment offered, to minimise the risk of a stroke occurring. Most of those who have been diagnosed with a TIA can be managed on an out-patient basis, though a few may require admission to hospital.

  The setting up of enhanced neurovascular services has been a priority for the investment of the stroke element of the additional funding made available to implement the Executive’s CHD and Stroke Strategy, published in 2002.

  Where the TIA has been caused by narrowing of the arteries in the neck, the person should be considered for carotid endarterectomy, an operation which involves cleaning out and widening the carotid artery which has become narrowed.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its capital investment in housing (a) has been in each of the last 10 years and (b) is estimated to be in each of the next five years

Rhona Brankin: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive, Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The information in the following table includes actual housing capital investment by Scottish Homes (1996-97 to 2002-03) and by Communities Scotland (2001-02 to 2005-06). The figures shown for 2006-07 and 2007-08 are budget figures.

  Decisions about funding beyond March 2008 will be taken in light of the next Spending Review.

  

 Year
 (£ Million)


 1996-97
 307.0


 1997-98
 201.4


 1998-99
 192.1


 1999-2000
 202.4


 2000-01
 220.2


 2001-02
 236.0


 2002-03
 284.2


 2003-04
 384.3


 2004-05
 420.5


 2005-06
 489.7


 2006-07
 530.6


 2007-08
 612.5

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to local authorities for delivering the access provisions set out in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003; how much of that money has been spent on delivering access, and how much has been diverted to other functions, broken down by local authority.

Sarah Boyack: Following the introduction of Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, additional funds of £29.2 million were included in the local government settlement for the period 2001-02 to 2005-06 for access related activity. A further £8.1 million was included for 2006-07 and for 2007-08. These sums form part of the total block grant allocation and are allocated to local authorities as part of the GAE provision.

  The Scottish Executive has established a monitoring scheme to collect information from local authorities on the progress achieved in the delivery of access measures. Progress information is collected on a bi-annual basis and expenditure information on an annual basis. Details are available on the Executive website:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Countryside/16328/AccessAuthorities.

Maritime Issues

Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, or intends to have, with the UK Government in respect of a ban on tanker traffic through the Minches, in light of international acceptance of the shipping lanes defined by Norway.

Sarah Boyack: The regulation of shipping activity in UK waters falls under merchant shipping legislation which is reserved to the UK Government, falling within the responsibility of the Department for Transport and its Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Executive maintains regular contact with the DfT and MCA on a range of issues including measures such as the establishment of an International Maritime Organization approved Traffic Separation Scheme to improve the safety of shipping sailing through the Minches. It is understood however that the Norwegian example quoted is not directly comparable with the situation within the Minches as the recommendation relates to international waters.

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital was raised by the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI consortium to deliver that project, broken down into (a) equity, (b) subordinated debt and (c) senior debt.

Mr Andy Kerr: The capital raised by the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI consortium to deliver the project was as follows:

  

 
(£ Million)


Senior Debt
200.4


Subordinated Debt
27.6


Equity
0.5

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive who the equity providers were for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project.

Mr Andy Kerr: The original shareholders for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project were as follows:

  Morrison Construction: 15%.

  RBS: 42.5%.

  Balfour Beatty: 42.5%.

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any equity shares in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project have changed hands since financial close.

Mr Andy Kerr: The current shareholders for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project are as follows:

  Balfour Beatty: 73.9%.

  Infrastructure Investors: 26.1%.

  I also refer the member to the answer to question S2W-30556 on 15 January 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what annual payments are to be made to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI consortium over the contract term and how these changed as a result of the refinancing

Mr Andy Kerr: The following table shows the estimated annual payments to be made to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI consortium over the current contract period. As negotiations for the refinancing have not been concluded it is not yet known how these might change.

  

Year
Amount
Year
Amount
Year
Amount
Year
Amount


2006-07
40.4699
2013-14
48.1060
2020-21
57.1829
2027-28
67.9725


2007-08
41.4816
2014-15
49.3086
2021-22
58.6125
2028-29
34.8359


2008-09
42.5187
2015-16
50.5414
2022-23
60.0778
2029-30
35.7068


2009-10
43.5817
2016-17
51.8049
2023-24
61.5797
2030-31
36.5995


2010-11
44.6712
2017-18
53.1000
2024-25
63.1192
2031-32
37.5145


2011-12
45.7880
2018-19
54.4275
2025-26
64.6972
2032-33
38.4523


2012-13
46.9327
2019-20
55.7882
2026-27
66.3146

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of NHS Lothian’s income the annual charge arising from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project represent, and how that has changed as a result of the refinancing.

Mr Andy Kerr: The charge for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project currently equates to 3.3% of the total NHS Lothian income for 2006-07. It is not yet known how this will change as a result of refinancing as negotiations have not been concluded.

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive how refinancing has changed the net present value and cash value of the cash-flow to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project consortium shareholders over the contract term.

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive how refinancing has changed the base internal rate of return to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI consortium.

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what the net present value and cash value gains of the refinancing of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project are to (a) the private sector and (b) NHS Lothian and, in respect of NHS Lothian, whether it will detail the form in which these gains have been made, such as reductions in annual payments or reduced parking charges.

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the refinancing gain arising from the refinancing of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project has been retained by the private sector to compensate for a lower rate of return than that expected at bidding stage.

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the refinancing of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project has changed the contract length from financial close and, if so, what the change has been.

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the refinancing of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project resulted in any change in risk allocation and termination liabilities and, if so, how the additional risks have been priced.

Mr Andy Kerr: As negotiations for the refinancing have not been concluded this information is not yet available.

NHS Contracts

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (Sol): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) percentage capital growth and (b) total capital gain has been on investors’ investment in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI project.

Mr Andy Kerr: This information is not held.

NHS Contracts

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions or communications it has had with Serco in respect of primary medical services and whether it will provide details of the content of such discussions or communications.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive has had no discussions or communications with Serco regarding primary medical services.

Scottish Executive Departments

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent by each of its departments on external legal advice in each of the last five years.

Elish Angiolini QC: Over the period since 2001-02, payments by the Scottish Executive and its agencies for external legal services have been made as follows:

  

Year
£000


2001-02
159


2002-03
563


2003-04
847


2004-05
2,030


2005-06
2,300


2006-07 (to date)
2,500



  It is not possible to break these figures down to show expenditure by individual departments and agencies without incurring disproportionate cost.

  For later years, these figures reflect work outsourced under the terms of a framework contract for the provision of legal services in place since June 2003.

Sport

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive from what source an additional £2 million has been obtained for the Linksfield sports facility in Aberdeen and whether this provision will have any impact on other projects funded under the National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy or from sportscotland’s budget.

Patricia Ferguson: In principle, allocations at Stage 1 are only intended to give an indication of financial support which may be available for any project. However, actual investment decisions are only made after receipt of a Stage 2 application and after careful consideration of such by sportscotland. sportscotland approved the investment of £7 million towards the Stage 2 application for the north east facility. The £7 million is made up of a mixture of sportscotland Lottery funding and Scottish Executive Exchequer funding.

Young People

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what sources of funding are available to community groups wishing to promote healthy activity among young people by providing play equipment.

Robert Brown: A number of Scottish Executive funding streams passed via local authorities can support a range of activity, including play and play equipment, but the main sources of funding available to community groups are local programmes supported through Community Regeneration and Quality of Life initiatives.

  In addition, the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) has named play as one of its priorities. Its Investing in Communities programme therefore has a number of investment areas that could support play. Through its Investing in Ideas Fund, BLF also has funding available to help communities develop their project plans and its Awards for All programme can provide a source of funds for small projects up to £10,000 in value.